A Convergence is a gathering of felt makers, and the sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas is the underlying theme. The Southern Hemisphere Feltmakers Convergence has been happening bi-annually since 1990.Each convergence is a little different, reflecting the fact that a feltmaking group in a different location hosts it entirely voluntarily. A convergence is an amazing event and some feltmakers have been attending them over many years ensuring lifelong friendships. The convergence program differs from year to year as it is traditionally largely made up of feltmakers who volunteer their time to share their knowledge, ideas and experience of feltmaking. A convergence attendee can expect many inspiring tutorials, workshops, opportunities to display your work, a fashion parade, installations, community group projects, lectures, professional development, informal demonstrations, a place to felt to your hearts content, traders trading their supplies, many networking opportunities, and much laughter and camaraderie with other feltmakers. It is a whole week immersed in the wonderful stuff of felt. Eat, sleep, and drink felt if you are that keen! It covers every aspect of felt making and is suitable for all levels of experience, wherever you are at with your own feltmaking journey. The 12th Convergence will be held in The Illawarra Region of NSW Australia, 1st-6th September 2013. It will be hosted by The Illawarra Feltmakers inc. Come along, learn, share, felt and have fun.

Applications for enrollment are expected to go out October 2012. If you would like to be on the email list please let us know. 12thfeltconvergencesh@westnet.com.au

Travel Information

The Tops is situated on 200 acres of pristine bushland overlooking Illawarra’s northern coastline. It is approximately an hour drive south of Sydney and 35 kms north of Wollongong, which is the nearest regional city.

Sydney has International and Domestic Terminals within an hours’ drive of Stanwell Tops. Both terminals have train connections, airport shuttles and hire car options.

Car

The Tops Conference Centre has ample open air parking for cars.

The Southern Freeway (F6), otherwise known as National Route 1, is the best option if travelling from the airports. Southbound travellers need to watch for signage to Wollongong. For those coming from the South Coast of NSW, the Princes Highway becomes the Southern Freeway just south of Wollongong. Either way, from the freeway take the exit (Tourist Drive 10) for Lawrence Hargraves Drive / Helensburgh / Stanwell Park. Continue approximately 2kms to a roundabout and take the exit on the right into Stonehaven Road. From there Bendena Garden is the second exit on the right.

If travelling via the Hume Highway from Victoria or Canberra, the best option is to take the Illawarra Highway exit then the Wollongong option. This will eventually join the Princes Highway at the roundabout in Albion Park Rail. Exit to the left and stay with what then becomes the F6 Freeway until exiting at the Helensburgh turn off. The Illawarra Highway does have some steep and narrow sections so, if this doesn't appeal, then an alternative would be to leave the Hume Highway at the Picton Road exit. Picton Road also connects with the F6 north of Wollongong.

Visitwww.leisurecoastlimousine.com.au or phone 4261 7393 for details of the airport to door service offered by this Illawarra based company. Mini coaches, sedans and limousines form their fleet. Mini Coach one-way fare for an adult is currently $60.00. Advance bookings are required. Visit www.hoangdo.com.au or phone 9755 9080 or 1800 837 980 for a new door to door shuttle service to Sydney's International & Domestic Terminals. Hoang Do services are to Wollongong and surrounding suburbs. Advance booking is required. This service only commenced in August 2012.

The line that services the Illawarra region is the South Coast Line and the nearest station to The Tops is at Stanwell Park, some 3 ½ kms away. Please check timetables very carefully as not all trains stop at Stanwell Park.

The train line servicing both airports requires you to change to the South Coast Line and this is usually done at Wolli Creek station. Again please check the timetables carefully, as there are times in the day when a change at Central or Hurstville station is more appropriate.

To get from Stanwell Park station to the Conference Centre will require us to organise a pick-up / drop off service so please let us know in advance your train travel arrangements.

The South Coast Line also services Wollongong and terminates at Bomaderry in Nowra.

Buses- Intercity

Country Link provides the Southern Coach Service between Moss Vale and Wollongong. For details visit www.countrylink.info or phone 13 22 32

Buses– Local

Greens Northern Coaches (Route 15) operates a service between Wollongong Central and Stanwell Tops. For timetable details check their website at www.greensnortherncoaches.com.au or phone 4267 3884. Note that, like the train service, this stop is quite a distance from The Tops Conference Centre. We would need to know you are using this service so that we can make sure there is someone available to collect you.

Meet Gallygaskin @ Convergence

Pages

About Me

The Illawarra feltmakers are the first incorporated group of feltmakers in NSW established in 2010..
The Illawarra feltmakers bring together people with a passion for felt. Our goal is to foster the craft of feltmaking and feltmaking skills within our community.